The 2025 college football season has been a wild ride, and no one saw this coming. With just four teams left in the College Football Playoff (CFP) semifinals—Indiana, Miami, Ole Miss, and Oregon—the unpredictability of this season is on full display. But here’s where it gets controversial: not a single one of these teams was a preseason favorite to win it all. Let’s dive into the surprising journey of this season and the bold predictions that didn’t quite pan out.
As the season kicked off, national media outlets were buzzing with preseason forecasts. On3 compiled 50 predictions from experts, spanning nine different teams, including four that eventually made the expanded 12-team CFP field. Yet, only Oregon remains standing, and just two analysts—Taylor Lewan of Bussin’ With The Boys and Rick Neuheisel of CBS Sports—had the foresight to pick the Ducks as national champions. And this is the part most people miss: Indiana, Miami, and Ole Miss were completely overlooked, yet here they are, defying the odds.
The Preseason Favorites: What Went Wrong?
Penn State was a popular pick, with 12 media members backing the Nittany Lions. But after a disappointing 7-6 season and the mid-season firing of head coach James Franklin, their championship dreams were dashed. Similarly, Texas tied Penn State with 12 predictions but fell short of the CFP despite a 10-4 record. Clemson and LSU, both picked by six analysts, struggled to 7-6 records, with LSU even parting ways with head coach Brian Kelly mid-season.
Alabama, under Kalen DeBoer’s leadership, was a favorite for five experts. The Crimson Tide made a strong run, winning the SEC Championship and a CFP first-round game, but fell to Indiana in the Rose Bowl quarterfinals. Ohio State, the reigning champions, received three predictions but lost to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship and Miami in the CFP quarterfinals. Georgia, picked by just two analysts, clinched a first-round bye after winning the SEC but lost a thrilling Sugar Bowl to Ole Miss.
Even Notre Dame, fresh off a title game appearance in 2024, was largely overlooked, with only former Fighting Irish quarterback Brady Quinn predicting them. Despite a 10-2 regular season, they missed the CFP and opted out of a bowl game.
The Underdogs That Rose to the Top
Indiana, Miami, and Ole Miss were the ultimate underdogs, proving that preseason predictions are far from foolproof. Their journeys highlight the beauty of college football: anything can happen. As we head into the CFP semifinals, the question remains: Can Oregon, the lone preseason favorite still standing, claim the title, or will one of the overlooked underdogs write a new chapter in college football history?
What’s your take? Did the media get it wrong, or is this just the nature of the game? Let us know in the comments—we’re eager to hear your thoughts!
